International Max Planck Research School for Solar System Science at the University of Göttingen and at TU Braunschweig
The Solar System School recruits and supports excellent junior researchers, offering them training towards a PhD degree in physics at an international graduate school in a vibrant geo- and astrophysics research environment.
The Solar System School
The "International Max Planck Research School for Solar System Science at the University of Göttingen and at TU Braunschweig" (IMPRS, Solar System School) is a collaboration of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research and the University of Göttingen and TU Braunschweig offering an international PhD programme in physics and geosciences.
The Solar System School is a research-oriented graduate programme hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) on the Göttingen Campus in the centre of Germany. In this unique environment, the IMPRS School is run jointly with the three institutes at the University of Göttingen and three institutes at TU Braunschweig. Junior researchers joining the doctoral programme will find that these institutes offer excellent facilities, internationally renowned researchers and experienced teachers, and provide excellent conditions to specialise in the field of Solar System science.
The research topics for doctoral theses address scientific problems from all areas of Solar System research represented at the institute, from geophysics and planetary physics to Solar and stellar physics as well as the underlying fundamental physics and chemistry, computational physics, and space technology. High-profile space missions, outstanding projects for ground-based instruments and data analysis as well as theoretical and extensive numerical modeling provide a wide range of research possibilities for PhD students.
During their three-year PhD education, the candidates are advised by senior scientists. About 40 highly qualified doctoral candidates from more than 45 countries study at the Solar System School at any given time. The language of instruction is English. The curriculum has been designed to impart a broad, interdisciplinary and solid scientific education in astronomy and astrophysics, solar physics, and planetary sciences. It also includes additional qualification courses relevant for academic or non-academic careers.
Admission to the programme is competitive and requires a Master of Science degree in physics, geosciences, chemistry or a related field, including a written Master's thesis. Calls for applications are issued once a year. Along with each call for applications, the School publishes a list of open PhD projects. Applications must be made through the online application portal. Successful applicants are offered a three-and-a-half year doctoral support contract as well as wrap-up funding. Graduate students obtain their PhD degree in a major scientific discipline with optimal career opportunities.
